Meaning & use
go break a leg
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Meanings
phraseidiominformal
Used to wish someone good luck before a performance or a big event, especially in the theater.
Grammar: Said on its own as a fixed formula, usually right before the person goes on: Go break a leg!
Patterns
- go break a leg
- break a leg
You'll be great out there tonight — go break a leg!
Go break a leg at your audition tomorrow; I'll be thinking of you.
Her drama teacher waved and called, 'Go break a leg!' as she walked toward the stage.
phraseidiominformalhumorous
Said to encourage someone facing a test, interview, or other important challenge.
Grammar: Still a set phrase; it works best with events that feel like a performance or a big moment.
Patterns
- go break a leg
- break a leg
Your driving test is at ten, right? Go break a leg.
Go break a leg in the interview — you know this material better than anyone.
Common combinations
- go break a leg
- The whole cast whispered 'go break a leg' as she stepped into the spotlight.
- break a leg
- Break a leg tonight — I'll be in the front row.
- go break a leg in something
- Go break a leg in the final — the team is counting on you.
- go break a leg at something
- Go break a leg at your recital; your grandmother is so proud.
- tell someone to go break a leg
- I told her to go break a leg, and she laughed and hugged me.
- go break a leg tomorrow
- Go break a leg tomorrow at the debate; you've prepared for weeks.
Synonyms and how they differ
- good luck
- The plain, general way to wish someone well; use it anywhere, while 'go break a leg' sounds theatrical and playful.
- knock them dead
- Also informal encouragement before a performance, but it stresses amazing the audience rather than simply wishing luck.
- fingers crossed
- Expresses hope that something turns out well, often about results you cannot control, not a send-off before going on stage.
Word family
- break a leg phrase
- The shorter form of the same good-luck wish, used without 'go'.
Commonly confused: go break a leg or go break a leg?
go break a leg vs go break a leg
Some learners expect a literal meaning; the phrase never means anyone should injure themselves — it is only a wish for luck.
Practice
Which sentence uses the expression correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Go break a leg' is a fixed good-luck wish used before a performance or big event, so the recital fits. The other options treat it as a literal warning or instruction about a real injury, which the idiom never means.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “go break a leg”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.